Owner/Operator
Tiyanna
Owner/Operator
Pet Owner:
Animal Care Experience: Tiyanna Knight-Chapman is the founder and lead trainer of The Pawz Café, a Michigan-based dog training and behavior facility specializing in obedience training, behavior modification, and service dog development.
With more than two decades of hands-on experience working with animals, Tiyanna has dedicated her career to helping dogs and their families build stronger, safer relationships through structured training and behavior-focused education.
Her background includes extensive work in animal shelters and humane societies, where she gained experience in animal handling, behavioral observation, and high-stress animal care environments. She has also worked as a euthanasia technician and animal care specialist, contributing to both animal welfare and shelter operations.
Tiyanna completed pre-veterinary and animal science studies at Tuskegee University and later earned an Associate Degree in Computer Technology and Systems from the University of Phoenix in 2012. She also holds a Service Dog Trainer certification through Animal Behavior College (ABC-STBT) and has completed hundreds of hours of hands-on dog training and behavior work.
Since founding The Pawz Café in 2016, Tiyanna has helped hundreds of dogs and families improve communication, obedience, and behavioral stability through structured training programs.
In addition to her training work, she is the founder of Tails Without Voices, a nonprofit organization focused on animal advocacy, responsible ownership education, and community outreach.
Tiyanna has also worked with several primate species including capuchins, tamarins, squirrel monkeys, owl monkeys, and marmosets.
She continues to expand her professional development in advanced canine behavior consulting and training.
Kennel Attendant
Grace
Kennel Attendant
Pet Owner:
Animal Care Experience:
I’ve loved dogs my whole life and recently made the switch from studying advertising to working in animal care full-time. As a dog owner to one pup and growing up with two family dogs, I truly understand the trust and care our pets deserve. I treat every dog as if they were my own. My goal is to provide safe, compassionate, and dependable care every day.
Trainer/Admin
Val
Trainer/Admin
Pet Owner:
Animal Care Experience:
I am a dedicated dog trainer with over 10 years of experience based training. I started my training journey with horses long before seriously working with dogs. In 2014, I began puppy raising throughout high school for Leader Dogs for the Blind, which initially ignited the love for problem solving and figuring out how dogs really operate. In 2020, I got my first personal dog, Zima, a White Swiss Shepherd. I adopted her out under the pretext she was a stable dog with no issues behaviorally whatsoever. Come to find out weeks later, she was in fact severely human aggressive and rather dog reactive, and overall had general anxiety disorder diagnosed because of it. I was left with no other options but to manage and figure out how to work with her, having little to no experience in behavior modification to that date. I essentially HAD to learn how to train dogs, in order to keep her around. It became my whole life. 6 years and a lot of tears later, she is successfully rehabbed and can be fully immersed in day to day activities. I use her as my demo dog to help other cases, and she is my very best friend. I started a whole training business based on her, I then began training higher level dogs with law enforcement and for sport, and have a well established, loyal, clientele base in behavior modification. I now have a sport dog named Vati, a Donovan Pinscher, and we compete in protection sports, as well as ADBA events such as UPF weight pull, top dog, and slat mill races. I continue my education by regularly collaborating with trainers, attending seminars, and online programs.
Weekend Warrior/Dog Whisperers Husband
Robert
Weekend Warrior/Dog Whisperers Husband
Pet Owner:
Animal Care Experience:
I am super proud of Tiyanna and staff for the training and care they take with each dog and client. I will continue to support and help Tiyanna in any way I can to make her dream come true!
Accounting Manager
Lisa
Accounting Manager
Pet Owner:
Animal Care Experience:
Lisa has been an animal lover her whole life. She grew up with many cats and dogs and really just loves all animals! Lisa got her Bachelor’s degree at Madonna University in Business Administration.
Emanuel
Kennel Attendant
My name’s Emanuel, I’m currently a student at Western Michigan University. Even though I have no pets, but I’ve always loved animals and hanging out with them.
Marriah
Kennel Attendant
Marriah has a big heart for dogs and especially loves small breeds. She enjoys spending her days playing, caring for, and making sure every pup feels happy and safe. When she’s working, her goal is to make each dog feel like they’re right at home.”
Nayah
Kennel Attendant Team Lead
Pet Owner:
Hi! I’m a proud staff member at Pawz Cafe and a dedicated animal lover. I truly believe animals make the world a brighter place. As a dog owner to my pup, Sky, I understand how important it is to trust the people caring for your furry family. I treat every dog with the same love, patience, and respect I give my own, making sure they feel safe, happy, and well cared for every visit. 🐾
Kennel Attendant & Trainer
O
Kennel Attendant & Trainer
Pet Owner:
Animal Care Experience:
Omari Bruce is a professional dog trainer with over 6 years of hands-on experience specializing in personal protection dogs, sport work, and pet dog obedience. His training philosophy focuses on building confidence, control, and clear communication between dog and handler, producing reliable and well-balanced dogs both at home and in working environments.
Omari has trained and developed dogs within the standards of the American Protection and Patrol Dog Association, working with dogs in protection training, patrol work, and advanced obedience. Through this experience, he has developed a strong understanding of drive development, control under pressure, and real-world reliability.
Beyond protection and sport dogs, Omari is passionate about helping everyday dog owners build better relationships with their pets. His obedience programs focus on clear structure, engagement, and practical results, helping dogs become well-mannered companions in any environment.
Danielle
Kennel Attendant
Pet Owner:
Animal Care Experience:
Being born deaf I have always found it easier to connect with animals. I have grown up in an assortment of areas from grooming, wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, vet med, exotics, and farm life. I don’t believe there was ever a time my family did not have at least one dog. I rescued Khaos when she was 6 weeks old my senior year of high school and kept rescuing ever since. Thank goodness my husband puts up with my nonsense. I am also the lucky Mom to two beautiful kids 10 and 3, and love the journey of being mamma. I have worked at many animal facilities and found Pawz as home, having a boss/the owner to truly care with her whole heart about the care and wellbeing of the dogs is a blessing.
